In Remembrance

Today, I remember the life of Will Jeffreys.

Will was the first undergraduate researcher whom I interviewed, hired, and trained while in Dr. David Kass’s lab as a postdoc. Will would go on to spend several more summers and two post-bachelor years working with another mentor in the lab. Will was a co-author on my 2021 publication. Will and I were also desk mates until I left in 2022 to start the Muller Lab at Loyola.

It’s hard to capture in words the loss I feel as someone who got to introduce Will to the world of research and pave the way for him to realize his dream of becoming a cardiologist one day. His loss hits me differently now as a non-novice mentor, and as a parent myself. As I’ve reflected on Will’s lightheartedness and being a figurative light for the lab, I am aware of how like a family the lab was. And sometimes sentiments like these are what stays with you…

Will is survived by his sister, parents, friends, labmates, and mentors. Will was enrolled at University of Maryland School of Medicine, class of 2028.